The Hong Kong Auction 51 - Baldwin's Celebrate 25 Years in the OrientBaldwin’s celebrate their 25th year holding auctions in the Orient this year with a fantastic Hong Kong auction of coins and banknotes.

888 CHINA – MEDALS. Order of the Striped Tiger : Fifth Class Neck Badge, in silver-gilt and enamels, 60mm, awarded to “Dr FSW O’Neill”, in original lacquer box (GQL p65). Bright mint state, Order lightly toned, exterior of box distressed
This decoration was awarded to Dr FSW O’Neill. A descendant has written the following note: ‘My grandfather FWS O’Neill, went to Manchuria in 1897 as a missionary of the Irish Presbyterian Church, at the age 27. In 1900 he could speak fluent Chinese and was not molested during the Boxer Rising, which aimed at expelling foreign influence. His house was wrecked but later a Chinese dictionary was returned to him. Again in 1904 he assumed Chinese dress (blue cotton), during the Russo-Japanese war. At one stage he was condemned to death by the Russians. He had blue eyes and did not expect to pass as Chinese. In 1917 he was attached by the YMCA to the Chinese Labour Corps in France and was awarded the Order of the Striped Tiger on his return to China. From 1928 to 1931 he lived through the taking over of Manchuria by the Japanese and was allowed to continue his work until 1941, when he and his wife were interned in Kobe. They came home in 1942 in an exchange of diplomatic and religious prisoners. He died in 1952 at the age of 82.’ FWS O’Neill was based in Fakumen, a town of about 15,000 people among foothills about two days walk from Mukden, the chief city of Manchuria, and the same from the Mongolian (indeterminate) frontier. He toured an area about equal to N Ireland taking about a month on foot for each journey. As far as I know the school and church he established in Fakumen still exist and he is still remembered in the area.

• The Hong Kong Coin Auction is held twice annually in conjunction with the Hong Kong International Coin Convention and Antique Watch Fair and always over the three days after the auction. It is organised by Ma Tak